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#CPChatNow’s communal atmosphere remained on full display Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 during the weekly Twitter chat. Familiar faces returning after lengthy absences helped to establish the night’s tone. Here to tell you all about the evening, I am co-host Zachary Fenell.

Co-host Devin utilized a wrestling GIF to welcome Hannah and Jorge. Such a GIF demonstrates another aspect to our friendly community. Perhaps an element to discuss in a future recap! For now, let us catch up with Hannah and Jorge.

Despite personally already knowing Hannah’s situation, reading her blog post still made me shudder. The seriousness that comes along brain surgery proving undeniable. Take a look and read yourself, “The Setbacks Leading to the Comeback.”

Thankfully the reasoning behind Jorge’s absence involves a lot less dire circumstances. College and work continues to keep him pre-occupied. As Jorge explained, an earlier shift allowed him to make the week’s chat.

Just like Hannah, participants excitedly met Jorge. Specifically, Shira Sadiky recounted how Jorge helped her feel comfortable when she first joined #CPChatNow a couple years ago. Comfort definitely stands important towards building a strong community.

What other characteristics do you also find valuable in a community? Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “What characteristics make for a strong community?” Respond in the “Comments” section.

The monthly Hangout allows our community to chat using a more open platform. No character limits! Plus video chatting adds communication factors like tone of voice and facial expressions, enhancing the dialogue! Due to privacy reasons, the link to the Hangout does not go out publicly. Perchance you want to join us, message the #CPChatNow Facebook fan page to let us know.

This past week in #CPChatNow was especially lively as we celebrated #CPChatNow’s 4th birthday! We decided to do a focus chat with various questions focusing on changes in member’s lives, questions about #CPChatNow, and a discussion about #CPChatNow’s future. This is #CPChatNow Co-Host, Devin Axtman, taking you along on this special recap.

The first question focused on what has changed in members’ lives in the last four years. Members shared many things, but it was interesting that many members had common changes:

The next question was about how members had heard about #CPChatNow. Members shared various things such as discovering it on their timeline to seeing CP celebrities like John Quinn tweet about it:

Zach also shared the story of the creation of #CPChatNow. A collaboration between John Quinn and @HandicapThis.

The next question related to specific questions or conversations that have stuck out to members. Hannah shared the long running #CPChatNow joke of the story when someone asked if her CP was caused by getting ran over by a train:

Jen tweeted about the focus chat with @The_CP_Swagger and Hunter Gandee who has made national news by carrying his brother with CP on his back to raise awareness:

Zach chimed in with the exercise chat led by Erin while I said the dating or accessible gaming ones:

Members also mentioned liking that the conversations in #CPChatNow tend to happen organically and do not feel forced:

Finally, the last question in the Focus Chat was regarding who members would like to see be a guest on a future focus chat. Members were consistent in requesting Micah Fowler of Speechless fame.

Now this brings us to our next Extend-The-Conversation question and I will use #CPChatNow’s fourth birthday as inspiration. What has changed for you in the past four years and what would you like to see in the next four?

Interim co-host Devin Axtman suggested we start the night by sharing peaks and pits from the last seven days. An idea in past weeks offered up by participant Amanda. Hamda’speak raised the night’s first communal mention.

Participants keeping in touch throughout the week demonstrates the strength in connections made within our community. Something I wish to emphasize by creating new #CPChatNow promotional graphics. In past months I asked participants to submit photos with them in their #CPChatNow shirts for such graphics. I asked again April 19th, this time also sharing a taste to what said images might look like.

One signature trait to a true community involves seeing an idea shared grow and evolve. Long-time participant Hannah Pike set said evolution in motion with her photo submission.

Additionally opening up submissions beyond pictures featuring CPChatNow shirts seems only fair to those without CPChatNow shirts. If you want your face incorporated into CPChatNow promotional material, submit a photograph! You can send our way via a direct message through our Facebook fan page.

Another aspect to community emerged while a couple participants made small talk. Shira discussed a school project which peaked Blemi’s interest. Soon their dialogue blossomed in more meaningful ways.

Hope, enhanced ideas, and friendship all represent community characteristics. What characteristics do you value in a community? Tell us! Answer the aforementioned for the week’s extend-the-conversation question.

In the “Comments” section share what characteristics you value in a community.

Leave your reply in the “Comments” section. Then join us tonight on Twitter at 8pm ET. Susanne Kate Jones returns to our community to lead us in a focus chat titled “A Serious Chat About Comedy.” You can expect an insightful discussion sprinkled with laughs throughout. Talk and laugh with you later.

Susanne‘s humor remained a missed entity from #CPChatNow. Even those on the receiving end to her sarcasm enjoyed Susanne’s presence.

The warm reception Susanne received represents our community’s overall welcoming attitude. Life could keep you away. However, say the opportunity arises for you to stop in. Prepare for exclamation marks, joyous GIFs, and maybe even happy emojis! 😛

On a personal note, I am pleased to see #CPChatNow adopt such an attitude. As an original co-founder I witnessed much transition the last three-plus years. Yet we continue to remember and respect our past. For example, take the praise given Wednesday to former co-host and #CPChatNow co-founder John W. Quinn.

Fittingly enough #CPChatNow stands at another transition point. My current co-host Blake Henry will spend the first half to 2017 studying abroad in Spain. Consequently the time difference will limit Blake’s ability to participate in the Twitter chats. Hence last week’s announcement promoting chat regular Devin to interim co-host.

Suspecting individuals might possess questions about his upcoming adventure, Blake made himself available to chat December 28th.

Meanwhile I asked a question designed to encourage others to think about their 2017.

Although I am obviously bias, I think my question supplies a lot to contemplate heading into the new year. So let the thoughts flow! Answer for the week’s extend-the-conversation question, “Is anyone setting New Year resolutions? If so, what are they?”

Leave your reply in the “Comments” section below.

Finally, let me take a moment to thank you. With your help #CPChatNow enjoyed a second straight banner year! Besides 11 focus chats and monthly Google Hangouts this year saw new members join the community, our website launch, and #CPChatNow apparel created. The latter you can still purchase during our “#CPChatNow T-Shirt and Winter Apparel” sale.

Excitement resonated throughout #CPChatNow Wednesday, December 21st. I am co-host Zachary Fenell, tasked with compacting all that enthusiastic energy down into your weekly recap. Hype for a big announcement sparked the initial anticipation.

Multiple community members expressed their excitement for my co-host Blake Henry as he prepares for his next adventure.

Summarizing in my own words the details to Blake’s upcoming opportunity feels underwhelming. Rather I recommend you check out his post for yourself. Read “Blake Henry’s Next Adventure.”

While time ticked away until the interim co-host announcement, our dialogue transitioned to the previous week’s extend-the-conversation question. Special guest Heaven Ramsey asked the question during her “Strength Through Community” focus chat. “Did you feel alone before social media?”

This triggered discussion on the differences various social media platforms provide.

In some ways my explanation echoed sentiments I shared at our “Strength Through Community” focus chat December 14th.

For me chatting with the #CPChatNow regulars week after week I almost feel I know them as persons and not online connections.

The individual Blake and I chose as interim co-host falls into said category. Blake revealed the interim co-host’s identity around 8:30pm ET.

Congratulations to Devin! He deserves the opportunity based off seniority in #CPChatNow, his passion for the community, and more. Certainly though, a community needs more than co-hosts to thrive. Your participation keeps us going strong. Decisions we make as co-hosts aim to best serve you. Therefore your feedback proves vital. You will possess the opportunity to share feedback tomorrow Thursday, December 29th at our year end Google Hangout.

Whether you can make the Hangout or not, please reach out and share your feedback about #CPChatNow. Contact Blake, Devin, or myself. Give your input on how #CPChatNow runs. Plus offer any new suggestions.

Beyond all our exciting community activities, regular Jen turned our attention to holiday festivities. She asked about what you hoped to find under the Christmas tree.

Although Christmas passed, let us maintain the holiday theme with the week’s extend-the-conversation question. This time we concentrate on the giving aspect to the season. Answer “What is a gift you gave this holiday season?”

Leave your response in the “Comments” section below.

Additionally note, #CPChatNow apparel still remains available. At your request we extended the #CPChatNow t-shirt and winter apparel sale to Monday, January 2nd, 2017. A #CPChatNow shirt could make a great belated holiday gift. Or, perhaps you feel like buying yourself a present. Proceeds from the sale go to the non-profit Keep On Keeping On Foundation. So, essentially you still end up giving to someone else!

Go ahead and order your #CPChatNow shirt. Too attend our Google Hangout Thursday, December 29th and share your feedback on our community. Finally, remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question “What is a gift you gave this holiday season?”

Heaven’s credentials as a community leader begins with her Facebook page, “A Stairway to the Stars: Heaven’s Journey with CP.” Over 8,000 people like the page. More importantly, the page provides an active and supportive community. Support proved a key concept discussed throughout the evening.

Most participants seemed to empathize with Heaven’s alone sentiment. Although others enjoyed a belonging feeling. What about you? Allow me to rephrase Heaven’s question for the week’s extend-the-conversation question. Answer “Did you feel alone before social media?”

Leave your response in the “Comments” section. First though, let us continue with the recap. My answer to Heaven’s question spurred dialogue revealing a valuable aspect community supplies.

The understanding you find in a community helps relieve the previously mentioned loneliness. Also regarding understanding, #CPChatNow regular Devin sought to better understand Heaven’s goal with her Facebook page.

A mentoring program like Heaven aspires to create could reduce loneliness even more. Plus build certain expectations so kids with cerebral palsy growing up can feel increasingly confident towards their futures. Such a demand already exists too. In fact returning participant Sarah demonstrated as much in a tweet.

Come revel in the positive community one Wednesday yourself. #CPChatNow happens every Wednesday from 8pm ET-10pm ET. Tonight we will make a big announcement related to what my co-host Blake Henry posted on the website earlier in the month (read here).

Before then remember to answer the week’s extend-the-conversation question. The question gives those not on Twitter a chance to still participate in our community. The week’s question rephrases a question Heaven asked.

“Did you feel alone before social media?”

Respond in the “Comments” section below. As always thanks for your interest in our community. You allow us to thrive.

Community shined during our weekly Twitter chat Wednesday, June 22nd. I am co-host Zachary Fenell tasked to bring you the recap. This includes exploring the different communal elements, like encouragement and inspiration. The latter kicked off the night.

To see Devin and Hannah refer to my walking as at a certain “level” made me smile. Erin though hit on an important factor.

Discussion about physical activity continued as the topic transitioned to physical therapy (PT). Not everyone enjoys a positive history with PT. Enter the need for our community to provide encouragement.

PT or no PT you can still find ways to stay physically active with cerebral palsy.

In order to help others visualize reverse crunches I shared the following.

Since I started doing reverse crunches daily I feel stronger in my abs. As a result I am better able to catch my balance whenever I stumble.

Obviously, I am not the only one with cerebral palsy who exercises at home. So shall we open up the dialogue? Answer Devin’s question for the extend-the-conversation question. “Do you do any exercises at home?”

If yes, please give an example. Follow the usual routine and respond in the “Comments” section.

Moving forward allow me to return to the community theme. A community offers comfortableness and a safe place to share. Erin did exactly that, tweeting out a link to her recent blog post.

Read Erin’s emotional post here. However, first remember to answer the extend-the-conversation question. “Do you do exercises at home?”

Reply in the “Comments” section below. If you answer yes, give an example!